Top 10 Greatest Soul Groups and Artists of All Time
The Jackson 5, or Jackson Five, also known as The Jacksons in later years, is an American popular music group. Formed in 1963 under the name the Jackson Brothers, the founding members were Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon. The beautiful band! Made up of five brothers, each trying to do their best. But it seems that in this band, there was a genius, and that is Michael Jackson. This is the reason that this band must be number 1!
Only black group to headline a stadium tour, most global record sales, and oh, by the way, they gave us Michael Jackson. Enough said.
This is what I like to see, Michael and J5 at number 1... exactly where they should be! Keep voting, guys!
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. A progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century popular music and dance, he is often referred to as the "Godfather of Soul". James Brown, hands down! Greatest live show artist of all time! Nobody could rock the Apollo Theatre like this man! When you played that place, you'd better come correct!
James Brown is one of the few soul artists I listen to. Get him to number 1.
Soul Brother No. 1 should be No. 1 on this list... if people were smart.
The Temptations are an American vocal group notable for their success with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. Hands down the greatest group of all time. Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin were all capable lead singers. Unlike the Jackson 5, every member had a hit record with their voice as lead.
Just My Imagination, My Girl, Since I Lost My Baby, Papa Was a Rolling Stone, I Can't Get Next to You, Cloud Nine, Get Ready, The Way You Do the Things You Do, Ain't Too Proud to Beg, I Wish It Would Rain, and many, many more. Perfect harmonies and could out-dance, out-sing, and out-dress any other group in sight!
Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of hits, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and... read more Best ever singer, especially when 'pleading' such as in Distant Lover.
He also perfected the technique of harmonizing with himself in three different voices, any of which are fantastic.
Really?! Do I really need to share my opinion about Marvin Gaye? He's a genius! He was a damn great artist. It's a pity that he is in 3rd place. Shame on you voters.
Albert Leornes Greene, often known as The Reverend Al Green, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer, best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s. Al Green is the man. He makes me want to boogie even when I'm asleep.
A better singer than Marvin or Otis.
Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Countless albums appealing to generations, spanning decades, and continually redefining the genre while shaping modern chart music. An unrivaled musician with a voice that's unique and inspiring. Truly the greatest artist of all time!
Gladys Maria Knight, known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian and author. Most of the songs out there from some of the greatest artists have been performed by Gladys Knight at some time or another. She has delivered throughout the years on stage and TV. At 70 years old, she's still showing us all she's got it and she's not going anywhere. She well earns the title, the Empress of Soul.
I fell in love with her voice the first time I heard it.
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. A career cut too short. Just the few years of work that we do have to base our judgment blows everyone else away! His voice, with so much feeling, is so amazing that you almost forget the music that is playing behind it.
Deep music. Soulful voice with unbarred emotion. A great artist. Superb songwriter. Relatable lyrics. If he hadn't died in that plane crash, he would definitely be one of the most popular artists ever.
The maddest, grooving like hell, singing like a possessed god! He makes me want to shake my body, even though I know I shouldn't dance, out of respect for my fellow human beings.
Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister... read more She is the one and only Queen of Soul.
Ray Charles Robinson, professionally known as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. Clearly, this genius should be top ten on the list. He was basically the inventor of soul music and one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. He definitely should be at the very least in the top 3.
The Newcomers
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston is one of pop music's best-selling music artists of all-time, with an estimated 170–200... read more She's the Greatest Voice of All Time. An idol for the next generations, no one will ever be like her! Her sound is so special that you will always recognize her! RIP, The Voice!
Samuel Cook, known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. Influential as both a singer and composer, he is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocals and importance within popular music. There is a dance called American Smooth. If we invent a music genre called the same, Sam Cooke would be its emperor and he would reign supreme, as he already does in soul. Please let us vote him up this list to the top, where he truly belongs. He was the first African American to own his own recording business, a pioneer in the music industry. One of his greatest admirers was Muhammad Ali. Yes, even the champ had someone he looked up to, and Sam Cooke was one of them. They even recorded music together. Just check YouTube. Sam Cooke is the best there ever was!
Everlasting, mighty, soulful, and will be forever in our minds and memories. Music that will make you snap your fingers.
Levi had the most soulful voice of all. He was able to sing like a saxophone at full blast. A great example of this is I Just Can't Walk Away.
What a shame that virtually nobody at Top Tens knows the name Levi Stubbs.
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American band that has spanned the musical genres of R&B, soul, funk, jazz, disco, pop, rock, Latin, and Afro pop. They have been described as one of the most innovative and commercially successful bands of all time. Please, people, EWF is by far the greatest group black people have produced. Jackson 5 number one? Not hardly. EWF were master musicians who could play all styles of music, with complex arrangements and great songwriting. They were outstanding live and were the first black band to perform in large arenas. They have sold over 90 million records and are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Come on now, this is the greatest boogie/soul group of all time. Positive, uplifting music at its best. No one ever did it better than Maurice White. Music, lyrics, craftsmanship, style - they had it all. Top ten musical group of all time.
As usual, the Spinners don't get the proper credit for their greatness!
This list is truly illegitimate if the Stylistics are not in the top 10 soul groups.
Johnnie Harrison Taylor was a three-time Grammy-nominated American recording artist and songwriter who performed a wide variety of genres, from blues, rhythm and blues, soul, and gospel to pop, doo-wop and disco. Johnnie Taylor at No. 69? You got to be kidding. He deserves to be in the top 10 at least.
Awesome group. Should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and higher on this list.
Donny Edward Hathaway was an American jazz, blues, soul and gospel singer, songwriter, arranger and pianist.
Benjamin Earl King, known as Ben E. King, was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer. He was perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me"—a US Top 10 hit
